William Cameron Engine Company
The William Cameron Engine Company (WCEC), founded in 1873 as Lewisburg's Fire Department, has had a long tradition of serving the community. Today, it provides firefighting, rescue, ambulance, and fire prevention services to the borough of Lewisburg, Kelly, East Buffalo, West Chillisquaque, and Union (ambulance and rescue only) Townships. The 50+ square miles within the WCEC's coverage area includes Bucknell University.

As sure as the fact that Bucknell has greatly benefited from the services of the WCEC, is the long tradition that members of the Bucknell community have had participating in them. Throughout the years many students, staff, and faculty have been members of the department.

BEST
In 1989, three students in the WCEC proposed the formation of an on-campus quick response team, under the name Bucknell Emergency Services Team (BEST) that would act as the first to respond to all medical emergencies on campus.

Since the formation of the group, the team has acted as part of WCEC arriving first to assess the situation, deliver initial care to the patient, and assist other members of the company in transporting the patient via an ambulance. Bucknell Emergency Services Team (BEST) was also involved in fire prevention activities and ambulance stand-by's at special events on campus.

As members of WCEC they spent most of their time with the department taking calls to the surrounding community. Having more flexible daytime schedules than many of the other members of the department, Bucknell members, especially the students, were available for most daytime emergencies.

It should be emphasized that the Bucknell Emergency Services Team is completely under the authority of WCEC and the chief of that department for all emergencies on campus. Since the authority to act comes from the department, the chief is responsible for the actions of all BEST members as they follow WCEC standards of procedure and authority.

The Early 1990's
In 1991, the Bucknell Emergency Services Team received the William Cameron Engine Company Ambulance Attendant of the Year Award.

In 1992, Bucknell student Andrew Smith (1995), received the Ambulance Attendant of the Year Award. Also in the same year, Bucknell Student Stephen Colby Simms (1993), received WCEC Firefighter of the Year Award. BEST membership increased from five to fifteen people.

This number more than doubled to 35 in the academic year 1992-93. With this growth our group took on a more active and extensive role as an emergency first-care team for the Bucknell Campus.

UEMS
In the 1994-95 academic year, the name of the organization was changed from BEST to "University EMS." This was done at the request of the legal council of Bucknell. 1994 also saw the introduction of portable radios into the daily operations of the group. Recognized by Union County Dispatch, UEMS members can radio dispatch or the ambulance to relay patient information, cancel or request paramedics, or advise the ambulance to proceed with just a driver since an EMT is on scene. Thus, our involvement in the Bucknell community increased.

As an effort to increase awareness and recognition of University EMS, the organization became more active in campus activities. The group was represented in the Homecoming parade in the Fall of '94.

1995-1996
1995 saw the involvement of the group in an on campus safety conference, as well as a "merit badge day" for 400 local Girl Scouts, held on campus. For the latter event, members explained to groups of Girl Scouts the role of technology in the work of the modern firefighter, including the use of the Hurst "Jaws of Life", heat sensors, gas detectors, SCBA, and other assorted tools.

Members of the group planned and simulated with help from the parent organization, William Cameron Engine Company, a vehicle accident for the Spring 1995 Parent's Weekend. One of the groups goals was to emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving. Parents and students alike learned from the simulation. Later in the year the group sponsored a Community CPR course open to all faculty and staff, ambulances standing by at several events on campus, as well as an increase in public awareness and understanding of our group's dedication of service to the Bucknell community.

The fall of 1995 brought new members to the group as it continues to grow in number. Homecoming proved to be the first big group event. University EMS had a float in the parade which finished first among the student groups - an admirable achievement for a first effort. All home football games had an ambulance crew standing by. Fire prevention week, later in October, kept members even busier than usual. Once again a CPR course was offered to students. Thursdays became a big hit with "ER night" where members of the Bucknell community were invited to watch the show on a big screen TV with refreshments.

1996-1997
In academic 1996-97, despite internal troubles, pressure from BSG and WCEC, University EMS was able to continue to provide stand-bys for on-campus events, as well as immediate coverage for on campus emergencies. A high turnover of graduating seniors was offset by an enormous freshmen class of 16, maintaining the overall group size.

Becca Patrick received the Ambulance Attendant of the Year Award, and Neal Simmons was awarded Firefighter of the Year.

1997-1998
Academic 1997-98 found University EMS back on track with high freshmen recruiting, free blood pressure screenings at several events, including Homecoming and Parent's weekends. Again the group presented a Homecoming Float, which again finished first among student groups. Spring Sibling's weekend brought forth another successful mock vehicle accident highlighting on the dangers of drinking and driving. The group also sent three delegates to the National Collegant EMS conference in Hartford, CT, who spent the weekend in group activities and seminars sharing information, experiences, and ideas with their national counterparts.

Mollie Latham captured the Ambulance Attendant of the Year, and Lorene Yoxtheimer Firefighter of the Year.

1998-1999
Academic 1998-99 was in full swing, and so was University EMS. Emergency response on campus has remained high, and standby's continue to be a success. The group again participated in the Homecoming Parade, dropping a notch to second place. A mock medical emergency in the Bison proved to heighten group awareness as group member Adam Bielemeier choked on a slice of pizza, and was promptly saved by responding EMT Mollie Latham. Wes Moore was honored with the Ambulance Captain's Award. The UEMS By-Laws were significantly revised as a new chief was ushered into WCEC.

SERV
Academic 1999-2000 University EMS is looking to the future with a new name "Student Emergency Response Volunteers" (SERV). Increased member training and recruiting is a major priority for this year's administration. Still to come: blood pressure screenings, courses, mock vehicle accidents, fire prevention activities, recruiting, CPR classes, fire extinguisher training, and more.

2001-2002
Academic 2001-2002 With the graduation of much of the previous SERV leadership, it was a restructuring year with an unusually strong and active freshmen class. For the first time, first year students were included in training classes in other parts of the state. Several rookie EMTs made their mark on a year of unusually heavy on-campus call volume.

2002-2003
Academic 2002-2003 Optimistic and ready, a new Executive Board and some revised by-laws made for smooth sailing in the early parts of the 2002 academic year. Recruitment efforts on campus went well, with several new members completing firefighter and EMT training. In a record breaking year, Cameron Hufford, Nik Kerimidas, Mike Pariser, Joe Mitchell, Eric Graham and Tom Bitting all became first class firefighters at WCEC. For the first time in memory SERV EMTs were able to assist with the Red Cross Blood drive at Bucknell, with hemoglobin screening. At banquet 2002, 7 of the 10 top ten responder awards went to SERV members, and senior Michael Pariser received "Firefighter of the Year".

2003-2004
Academic 2003-2004 Starting on May 1st of 2003 the next Executive Board took office and held their first meeting that day. They have set a very aggressive agenda for recruitment and retention in the fall of 2003 with the hopes of bolstering SERV's membership. SERV has also moved into Martin House on St. Georges Street. Look for programs and activities there throughout the upcoming year.

Over the summer, work was done to completely revamp the website. It was made to look more professional and attractive to new members, as well as have easy to access reference informations for new and old members alike.